downright

1 of 2

adverb

down·​right ˈdau̇n-ˌrīt 

1

archaic : straight down

2

: absolutely sense 1a

downright handsome

downright mean

3

obsolete : forthright

downright

2 of 2

adjective

1

archaic : directed vertically downward

2

: outright, thorough

a downright lie

3

: plain, blunt

stories he had heard of her downright tongue

—Angus Wilson

downrightly adverb

downrightness noun

Synonyms

Adjective

• abrupt
• bluff
• blunt
• brusque
• brusk
• crusty
• curt
• short
• short-spoken
• snippy
• unceremonious

Examples of downright in a Sentence

Adverb

The movie was downright stupid.

It's very difficult, if not downright impossible.

Adjective

rural folks are often known for their downright speech, as they are generally not ones to beat around the bush

that's a downright lie, and you know it

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

With the average pickup truck now over 19 feet in length, and most cars exceeding eight feet in width, what was tenable in a 24x24 is now downright impossible in a 20x20 space. —Bradley Brownell / Jalopnik, Quartz, 5 June 2024

For there to be so much enthusiasm for the B’s — even though no one who came to the game could possibly name any player on the field — is downright astounding. —Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 5 June 2024

Adjective

His 22 points per game since that point is downright pedestrian — more Cam Thomas and Kyle Kuzma than Dončić or LeBron. —Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024

Just like the work they're based on, these shoes are a downright masterpiece. —Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

downright

1 of 2 adverb

down·​right -ˌrīt 

: in a complete and absolute manner

that was downright stupid

downright

2 of 2 adjective

1

: absolute sense 3, utter

a downright lie

2

: outspoken, blunt

downright country people

downrightly adverb

downrightness noun